I use mind maps at the very beginning of the year as an opening activity. I begin by placing ten random characteristics about myself on separate pieces of scrap paper and place them in a jar. I write my name on the center of the board in large letters. Then I invite a student up to choose one characteristic about me and and draw it on the board, without disclosing to the class what the characteristic is. I continue to invite students up to choose and draw until the jar is empty. I then draw lines to my name and presto...the students have created an identity mind map about me and my interests. As a "get to know you" assignment, students create identity mind maps about themselves and share with the class. I display them for the first few weeks of class. I will encourage digital mind maps this year. I also use mind maps throughout the year to help students organize ideas and concepts visually. For instance, they create a mind maps when we study trans-boundary pollution. Students map out three different examples of pollution and how it can travel to other countries.
Potential Benefits of Mind Maps
The potential benefits of mind-mapping are that students can visualize, organize, simplify and connect their thoughts and ideas. Mind mapping is a traditional scaffolding graphic organizer that has shown to be very beneficial to visual learners. As a 21st century tool, mind mapping will exceed such benefits. Mind maps have potential to become interactive, animated, have sound and video......brought virtually to life!
10.1 Opener
I use mind maps at the very beginning of the year as an opening activity. I begin by placing ten random characteristics about myself on separate pieces of scrap paper and place them in a jar. I write my name on the center of the board in large letters. Then I invite a student up to choose one characteristic about me and and draw it on the board, without disclosing to the class what the characteristic is. I continue to invite students up to choose and draw until the jar is empty. I then draw lines to my name and presto...the students have created an identity mind map about me and my interests. As a "get to know you" assignment, students create identity mind maps about themselves and share with the class. I display them for the first few weeks of class. I will encourage digital mind maps this year. I also use mind maps throughout the year to help students organize ideas and concepts visually. For instance, they create a mind maps when we study trans-boundary pollution. Students map out three different examples of pollution and how it can travel to other countries.Potential Benefits of Mind Maps
The potential benefits of mind-mapping are that students can visualize, organize, simplify and connect their thoughts and ideas. Mind mapping is a traditional scaffolding graphic organizer that has shown to be very beneficial to visual learners. As a 21st century tool, mind mapping will exceed such benefits. Mind maps have potential to become interactive, animated, have sound and video......brought virtually to life!10.2 bubbl.us
10.3 Reference information for mindomo
Creating your first mind-map: http://www.mindomo.com/help/creating-mind-maps.htmSaving your map: http://www.mindomo.com/help/saving-mind-maps.htm
Formatting and styling your mind-map: http://www.mindomo.com/help/styling-mind-maps.htm
Working with topics: http://www.mindomo.com/help/working-with-topics.htm
Sharing your map: http://www.mindomo.com/help/sharing-mind-maps.htm